Des Moines Water Works is asking metro customers, residential and commercial, to closely watch their water use and cut back as much as they can.

Historic nitrate concentrations found in the Raccoon and Des Moines rivers have forced Water Works to use their other water sources.

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Water Works said that if demand increases it will have no choice but to start taking water from the heavily polluted rivers, and may be unable to remove nitrate in a manner that keeps up with high demand.

"Although drought conditions are no longer an immediate threat to Central Iowa, increased nitrate levels from agricultural run-off, coupled with high demand, puts Des Moines Water Works in a difficult position," said Bill Stowe, CEO and general manager of Des Moines Water Works in a news release. "With the assistance of all metro customers using water wisely, Des Moines Water Works can effectively and efficiently use the available water supply to provide safe drinking water that does not violate nitrate standards."

Water Works is recommending the following for residential and commercial lawn watering:

--Avoid lawn watering, whether from an in-ground sprinkler system or manual sprinkler, during the day time hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Evaporation from the sun is highest during this time period and less water is absorbed into the soil, meaning more water must be used to get the same effect than if watering is done outside these hours.

--Shift watering to no more frequently than the ODD numbered days of the week if your house address ends with an ODD number and EVEN numbered days if your house address ends with an EVEN number. For example, if your house number is “1521,” it is suggested that you water on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, and so on days of the month.

--Test the irrigation system each spring to ensure there are no leaking sprinkler heads and that each head is properly directing its spray onto the turf and landscape.